Time-stop mechanism



Oct. 12, 1954 R.-G. BIRR TIME-STOP MECHANISM Filed Aug. 3. 1951 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Oct. 12, 1954 R. a. BIRR TIME-STOP MECHANISM Fild Aug. 3, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 12, 1954 TIME-STOP MECHANISM Rudolph G. Birr, Lombard, Ill., assignor to American Linen Supply Co.

ration of Nevada Chicago, 111., a corpo- Application August 3, 1951, Serial No. 240,243 1 29 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in timestop mechanisms adapted for various uses in the control of a movable element which is to be moved and then be temporarily held for a timed period at some predetermined position. Such mechanisms are commonly used in conjunction with dispensing apparatus for sheet material such as fabric or paper toweling, and the invention herein is shown applied to such a dispensing apparatus.

Heretofore various kinds of time-stop mechanisms have included as timers clock-work mechanisms, pistons or dashpots, and vacuum cups. They have included various types of slides acting as stops. The present'invention avoids entirely the use of all such devices and replaces them by a combined pendular stop and timer member adapted to oscillate in relation to stationary stop means, and in the present embodiment to an opening associated with said stationary stop means.

The essentially and broadly new conception herein is the use of a simple pendular stop element which times while it swings and in which the degree of amplitude of swing determines the stopping or release actions. When the amplitude of swing is small or is zero, the stopping function of the pendulum ceases. While the amplitude is greater than a predetermined minimum, stopping action continues.

I believe that the broadly new conception herein is the use of a pendular element itself as a stop. Thus a single bar-like element both times and acts as a stop and is therefore dual in its function.

Some prior mechanisms have included a sliding element, either acting per se as a stop and as part of a timer, or acting only as part of a timer. A time-stop of the former kind is shown in Patent 2,298,882 and a time-stop of the latter kind is shown in Patent 2,417,731. In both of these patents the slide must be guided and carries one of a pair of vacuum cups, and in both a pivoted link connection is employed between the slide and a stop which rotates with the measuring roll.

The invention herein makes use of a single plain metal bar which serves a dual purpose, towit: as one of the stops and asa timer. Great simplicity has therefore been achievedand, by comparison with previous time-stop mechanisms, wear and complexity have been reduced to almost an absolute minimum. Also the costs of manufacturing and of adjustment and repair have been reduced in a like degree.

Important objects of the invention therefore are: to simplify the construction; to reduce wear to a minimum; and to provide a structure which can be made at very small cost, as compared with previous time-stop mechanisms, and which is subject to very little wear.

Another and specific object is to provide a timestop mechanism for controlling the dispensing of toweling material to prevent the waste of such material, particularly of laundered fabric toweling. Waste prevention of such material is accomplished by dispensing only short lengths at a time, and in making the user wait for a predetermined period before a second length can be obtained.

Features of the invention include: the use of a pendulum as a combined timer and stop in a time-stop mechanism; the use of a timing pendulum as one of the stops for the control of the measuring roll of a dispensing cabinet for sheet material; the arrangement of such a pendulum in relation to a gap between a pair of stationary stops; the pivoting of the pendulum in eccentric relation to a movable element which is to be controlled; the provision of means for initiating pendular motion while the pendulum is itself being bodily moved; the specific method herein disclosed for initiating pendular motion; the method herein for varying the degree of the initiated pendular motion; the method of hastening the release of the stop; all details of construction shown; and the various modifications contemplated. Another feature is the provision of very simple means for varying the amplitude of the swinging stop.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description of the drawings, and in said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a dispensing cabinet for sheet material showing my timestop mechanism in initial or non-stopping posi-- tion with the pendular stop in vetrical alignment with the opening between the stopping members, and with its bottom backed away from the stopping surface planes of the stopping members;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation of the cabinet with the stop mechanism positioned as in-Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 1

but with the parts of the stop mechanism posi-.

tioned as during dispensing rotation of the .measuring roll, and with the pendulum disposed Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the pendular stop in stopping position as when an attempt is made by the user to withdraw sheet material while the pendulum is swinging;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on line 55 of Fig. 1 showing the means for arcuately adjusting the stationary stop-carrying device to so dispose the stop-release opening between the stopping members as to be traversed by the pendulum on its initial downward movement as dispensing starts;

Fig. 6 is a detail section on line fi6 of Fig. 1 showing how the stationary stop-carrying device is guided for arcuate sliding adjustment:

Fig. 7 is a plan section on line i[ of Fig. 1 showing how the pendulum is connected to a bearing trunnion of the measuring roll; and

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 illustrating the pivotal connection between the pendular stop and the eccentric arm or crank of the measuring roll.

The invention herein is applicable to any type of device for dispensing sheet material but is shown applied to a well known type of towel dispensing cabinet called a continuous cabinet. Such a cabinet is shown in Patent 2,255,609 and is adapted to dispense laundered fabric toweling. In these cabinets, as the user pulls out a length of toweling, the same amount of used toweling is taken up.

In the drawings herein, numeral I generally designates the outer casing having sides 2 and a back 3. Numerals 4- and 5 are upper and lower doors respectively pivoted at B, I. The doors cooperate to form an opening 8 outwardly through which the toweling is drawn. Two upright plates 9, only one of which is shown, are removably fastened to the back 3 as at it and serve to carry various control elements of the cabinet. These plates constitute a removable inner unit.

A measuring roll is shown at l2, a soiled towel take-up roll at 3, a take-up drive roll at M, and a pinch roll at 15. A supply roll is indicated at 16. The toweling I1 passes upwardly between the measuring and pinch rolls I2 and I5, thence over the pinch roll i5 downwardly and outwardly through opening 3, and downwardly in front of the cabinet to form a loop (not shown), then upwardly into the cabinet to the soiled towel take-up roll i3. The measuring roll l2 and the take-up drive roll M are geared together by means not shown, but well known in the art, so that the same amount of toweling is taken up as is pulled out. Thus the loop is maintained, and the soiled toweling is taken up into the cabinet.

All rolls are suitably journalled in the plates 9 usually including trunnions. The pendular timer and stop 29 of this invention is attached to the measuring roll [2 in the manner shown in Figs. 7 and 8. To this end, a journal shaft or trunnion 2|. is non-rotatively secured in a socket 22 in the measuring roll by means of a cross-screw 23. The shaft or trunnion 2! passes through a metal inset 24 of the roll, and through a journal opening 25 in plate 6. Fixed on the projecting end of the trunnion 2! at the outer side of the plate 9 is a crank arm or eccentric plate 26, which fits a squared outer portion 21, and is held against a shoulder 28 by peening the outer end of the shaft as at 29.

Suitably fixed to the eccentric arm 26 is a pivot pin 32 (see Fig. 8) which passes through an opening 33 and serves to suspend the pen- 4 dular timer stop 20 for free swinging motion for the performance of its timing and stopping functions. A washer =35 on the pin 32 is interposed between the swing-stop 20 and a fastening device 36 and fits into a groove of the pin. The diameter of the opening 33 is slightly greater than the diameter of the pin 32 to provide a proper fulcrum and to assure freedom of swing for the time-stop 2B. The opening may have any suitable shape to reduce friction to a minimum.

In this disclosure the timer-stop 21) comprises a fiat bar of metal, which may or may not be weighted, but which is preferably slightly weighted at the lower end as at 3. Disposed below the time-stop 20 is stationary means so associated therewith as to prevent roll motion, while the stop: 26 is swinging but to permit roll motion when the amplitude of swing of stop 26 becomes sufficiently small, or when said stop ceases to swing. This associated stop means may have various forms, but herein comprises a sheet meta1, somewhat trough-like, structure generally designated 45, which can be cheaply formed by stamping and bending. The principal parts of the structure are two arcuate stop members 46 symmetrically arranged (see Fig. 1) in spaced relation to a Vertical line 1'! which passes through the axis of the fulcrum pin 32, when that pin is at the position from which the meas uring roll [2 starts to rotate for and as a result of dispensing action, and to which position said pin 32 returns at the end of dispensing action, and at which position the roll is to be held for a time period which is dependent on the oscillation period of the pendular stop 20.

By spacing the stop members 48 an opening or gap 43 is provided. The width A of this gap is slightly greater than the width B of the timerstop 2i), so that the stop can freely pass downwardly through the gap either when the stop is stationary or when it is swinging slightly, depending on the relative magnitudes of the measurements A, B. I prefer at this time to have the width A of the gap only slightly greater than the i width B of the stop 2B, but do not wish to be limited as to this exact relationship.

The arcuate stopping surfaces 5! of the members 46 have their radii of generation in the axis of pin 32 when that pin is in the initial position of Fig. 1. When the pin is so positioned, the bottom 50 of the stop 20 is backed off or spaced upwardly from the stopping surfaces 5! of the members 46 so that it can swing freely. This backoif is attained by means of a link 52 attached at its lower end to pin 32 and having the lower end of a spring 53 connected to its upper end as at it. The upper end of the spring 53 is connected as at 55 to the cabinet wall 2 (see Fig. 2).

The link 52 has a shoulder 56 which engages the lower end of a lug 51 struck out from plate 9 as means to limit back-off motion of the stop 2i! in the proper degree to space the free end 58 from stop surfaces 5! to prevent accidental engagement of the free end of the pendulum 2!) with said stopping surfaces 51 during swinging motion of said pendulum. The right-hand edge of an upright part 58 of the link 52 engages the left face 59 of lug 5? to prevent over-travel and swing of the link in clockwise direction during rotation of the measuring roll also in clockwise direction.

When an attempt is made to rotate the measuring roll while the time-stop 2B is swinging (see Fig. 4) the whole system is slightly lowered while the spring 52 continues to urge the part 58 against lug 51. When the user finds that he cannot get more toweling he ordinarily ceases to pull on the toweling and the spring 53 raises the parts again to their positions in Fig. 1, and thetimer-stop again begins to swing from whatever position it may have assumed when it engaged one or the other of the stops 46. When dispensing begins and the pendulum bar 26 moves downwardly through the opening 68, the link 52 is disengaged from the lug 5i and travels as in Figs. 3 and 4 again to the position of Fig. 1. I

The eccentric pivoting of the swingable stop 26 and the opening 48 in the stationary stop may be considered two means which cooperate to initiate swinging or timing motion of the swingable stop, and one of which means 43 also acts to annul stopping action when the swingable stop ceases to swing or when its amplitude is sufficiently small.

It is noted that as herein shown the pendular bar-stop 26 projects a substantial distance beyond the periphery of the rotative element 26. The degree of this projection may vary but the length of the pendulum from its pivotal point downwardly must be such as to obtain a proper timing interval. In decidin how long the barstop is to be, the eifect of pivot-friction must be taken into account because this device is unlike the pendulum of clockworks in that no spring or escapement is used to give power impetus to the pendulum. Thus, pivot-friction tends to lessen the timing interval, and therefor reduction of pivot friction or weighting or power lengthening of the pendulum is necessary to increase the timing interval. In most cases simple lengthening of the pendular-stop will be resorted to.

The sheet metal stop-carrying structure 45 is U-shaped in end view (see Figs. 2 and 6). It has upright parts or portions 62, 63 which are bent up from the stop members 46. The plate 9 has an upper pair of spaced arcuate slots 64 and a lower pair of spaced arcuate slots 65. The slots of each pair lie on an arc of generation having its center in the axis of pin 32, as positioned in Fig. 1, that is, as initially positioned. In this position the lower end 56 of the pendular stop 26 is spaced upwardly from the stopping surfaces or planes SE of the members 46. Clamping screws 61' pass through slots 64 and engaged threads of plate 62. The slots 65 (see Fig. 6) slidably receive guide lugs 68 struck out from part 62 as shown.

By means of the slots, screws and guide lugs, the structure 65 and its gap 68 can be accurately adjusted as in Fig. 1 to bring the middle of the gap into coincidence with the vertically disposed midline Lil of the stop 2!), which line passes through the axis of the pivot 32. This adjustment disposes gap i6 symmetrically with respect to the stationary position of the pendulum 26 so that when dispensing begins the bar 20 will pass downwardly through the gap 48. The element 45 is also provided with outbent upright uards 69 to prevent overswingin of the pendulum stop 26.

As applied in a towel dispenser of the continuous type, the action of the device of this invention is rapid to set the timer-stop 2!) swinging. With the parts initially positioned as in Fig. 1, the user generally yanks the toweling II by a downward pull which causes the measuring roll ii to rotate rapidly. At the end of a single rotation the parts assume the approximate positions of Fig. i, with the stop 26 engaging with a stop member 36, either as in the full line position or as in the dot-and-dash line position. The

'6 stops 20, 46 willremain engaged as'long as the user continues to pull on the toweling.

When the user lets go of the towelingq' the back-off spring 53 raises the timer-stop 20 to space its free end 56 upwardly from the members 46. However, as soon as-this'occursythe stop 26 again begins to swing-and to time." Swinging and timing continue for a period which is substantially proportioned to the length of the pendulum 26, and until oscillation of said stop"v 26 is suiiiciently small to permit it to pass downwardly through the gap 48. As shown in the drawings, the stop 20 must substantially cease to oscillate before the stop can pass downwardly. However, this need not necessarily be so because measurement A can be increased over measurement B sufficiently to allow entry of the pendulum 26 through the gap 48 while the former is swinging slightly.

As in prior stop devices of this general kind applied in the towel dispensing art, there is a first stop which moves during dispensing, and there is in addition a relatively stationarysecond stop, over which movement of a dispensing means has no direct control. The present stop mechanism has two such stops but the first stop starts timing at end of dispensing operation by freely swinging as a pendulum, and only performs its stopping action when dispensing is attempted while it is swinging.

For stopping action, some part of the swinging first stop engages the stationary second stop. In this instance the free outermost or lower end of the swinging pendulum so. engages. Nevertheless, some other part of said pendulum may so engage, and therefore not all of the claims are limited to outermost end engagement.

The simplest way to determine or vary the timing period of the pendular stop 26 is to make pendulums of different lengths, which does not require more costly and complicated lengthadjusting devices, although it is obvious that such devices can be used. I consider it entirely new and very advantageous in this art to use a pendular stop which also acts as a timerwhile swinging. The pendulum may have any suitable form, as long as its free'end or some other suitable portion of it is adapted to act as a stop. In this instance it is a simple bar which freely swings about a pivot 32 of a crank arm 26 fixed to the end of a measuring roll [2 or equivalent.

Means is provided for giving an initial swing to the pendulum 20 during rotation of the measuring roll from its position in Fig. 1 again to that position. By having the middle of the opening or gap 48 on the vertical line 4? passing through the pivot 32 and by having that pivot eccentric to the rotative axis it of the roll l2 (or equivalent element) the pendulum is initially positioned so that on slight rotation of the roll the pendulum will enter the opening 48 and on continued motion of the roll after such entry (see Fig. 3), the pendulum will be slanted and then withdrawn. W ith drawal while in this slanted position initiates swing of the pendulum for a given maximum amplitude. The degree of this initial amplitude of swing can be varied (see Fig. 1) by varying and if the eccentricity is greater the initially imparted amplitude will be greater.

As above stated, the period of the timer is preferably determined by its length without the necessity of complicated additions. In case a longer pendular stop is used, the stop structure 45 can be lowered, and additional sets of slots (not shown) like slots 64 and 55 can be provided. This can be provided for at the time of manufacture, and such provision is contemplated, although not illustrated herein.

Where different periods or time intervals are desired, a pendulum 2!! of the desired length. is very simply attached to pin 32, and the structure 45 is raised or lowered as required. No other change than the provision of an extra pendulum and extra sets of slots 54 and 55 is necessary, and thus the considerable economic gains herein provided are not lost when changes in periods or time intervals are desired.

I have, however, provided means other than length variation of the pendulum 29 for hastening the entry of the pendulum into and through the gap 46. For this purpose the plate a is horizontally slotted as at 10. Passing through the slot is a clamping screw ll threaded into an interceptor lug 72. If no interception of the swinging stop is desired, the lug is so positioned as not to be engageable by the pendulum stop 26 when swinging at its initiated greatest amplitude. The result of moving the ing '22 to the left from the full line position shown is to lessen the amplitude of the swinging stop 28 and therefore lessen the distance that it will swing beyond the gap 48 in either direction. The effect of this lessened amplitude is to lessen the time required for the lower end of the stop to enter the opening or gap 48. The degree of amplitude may be so small that some part of the lower surface lid of the stop 28 will always be overlapping the opening 48, while the stop is swinging.

It should be noted that the friction between the pendulum 20 and its pivot 32 acts to gradually decrease the amplitude of the pendulum, and that adjustment of the friction might also serve as means for varying the period of the pendulum. The broad claims are intended to include such adjustment.

The stop members 46 and the opening 48 between them are considered to constitute means respectively for preventing movement of the measuring roll or equivalent element to be controlled, when the pendulum is swinging at the greater amplitude, and for permitting such movement when the pendulum is swinging at a lesser amplitude, or when not swinging. The positioning of the axis of rotation of the roll and of the pivot of the pendulum in relation to the end of one of the stop members is considered to constitute one means whereby roll or element motion causes the pendulum to be biased or slanted for initiating timing motion of the pendulum on its withdrawal from contact with the end of the member 45.

As before mentioned, the relative dimensions of the opening or gap 48 and pendulum may be such that when the amplitude of the pendulum reaches some predetermined minimum the pendulum can pass downwardly through the opening. This might be accomplished by making only the bottom portion of the pendulum narrower or pointed, or by making the width B of the pendulum in its direction of motion substantially less than the width A of the opening 48 in the same direction. Whether by pointing of reducing the width of the pendulum or by increasing the width A of the opening, the relative dimensions of pendulum and opening are so proportioned as to obtain the desired action. If the pendulum is pointed, the point can enter the opening for any amplitude which is less than the width A of the opening.

In this embodiment of the invention it will be noted that the pivotal point 32 of the pendulum moves but that the pendulum only begins to swing on withdrawal from the opening 48 and continues to swing while the pivotal point 32 continues to move, and swings after said pivotal point stops at the position of Fig. l, at which the roll or equivalent element is to be temporarily held for a timed period.

All features and modifications herein disclosed and mentioned are considered to be within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the class described having, a first stationary stop element and a second swingable stop element engageable therewith for stopping action while swinging at a predetermined amplitude, a third movable element to which said second element is connected in pendular relation, and means acting to initiate swinging motion of the second element during motion of said third element, stopping action of the first and second elements being ineffective when the amplitude of the second element is sufiiciently small.

2. A device of the class described having, a first stationary stop element and a second swingable element having a free end engageable with the first element for stopping action during swinging movement of the second element, said stopping action being ineffective when the second element ceases to swing, a third movable element which is controlled by the stop element and means swingably connecting the second element therewith, and means for initiating swinging motion of the second element during motion of the third element.

3. A device of the class described comprising an upright supporting plate having a measuring roll journaled therein, a pendular stop pivoted to said roll in eccentric relation to its rotative axis, means for initiating swinging motion of said pendular stop as a result of rotation of said measuring roll, and a stationary stop on said plate with which the free end of the swinging pendular stop is engageable while swinging at a predetermined amplitude to prevent rotation of the measuring roll.

l. In a device of the class described, movable means which is to be temporarily immovably held, a pendular stop and means swingably connecting it to said movable means, means cooperative with said movable means to cause said stop to swing, and means cooperative with said swinging stop to prevent movement of said movable means.

5. A device of the class described comprising a movable element which is to be held immovable for a timed period, a pendulum as a stop and timer swingable on said element, means for initiating swinging movement of said pendulum as a result of movement of said movable element, and stop means associated with said pendulum in such a manner that said element can be moved only when said pendulum substantially stops swinging.

6. In a device of the class described, movable means which is to be temporarily held immovable, a pendular stop pivoted to said means, means for initiating oscillatory movement of said pendular stop as a result of movement of said movable 9 means, and means engageable by said stop for preventing movement of said movable means while said stop oscillates at a predetermined amplitude.

7. In a device of the class described, a measuring roll having a pendular stop pivoted thereto, means for initiating swinging movement of said pendular stop as a result of rotation of said measuring roll, and means engageable by said stop for preventing roll rotation for measuring action while the stop swings.

8. In a dispensing cabinet for material, first means which must be moved to a final position to obtain material, a pendular stop, means including said first means for causing said stop to swing, and means by which swinging of said stop prevents movement of said first means.

9. A dispensing cabinet for sheet material hav ing a measuring roll, a crank rotatable by the roll, a pendulum as a timer and a stop, means pivoting said pendulum to the crank, means for initiating swinging movement of said pendulum as a result of rotation of said measuring roll, and means so associated with the pendulum as to only prevent roll rotation while the pendulum swings.

10. A device of the class described comprising an element adapted to be moved to a certain position and then temporarily held against further movement for return to said position, a pendulum as a timer and a stop swingable on said element, and means so associated with said pendulum as to cause it to swing when said element begins to move and prevent re-movement of said element while said pendulum swings at a predetermined amplitude.

v11. A device of the class described comprising a measuring roll, a stop member and means attaching it to said roll for pendular motion,

means for initiating swinging motion of said member as a result of roll rotation to give said stop member a predetermined maximum amplitude, and stop means engageable by said swinging member to prevent roll rotation at a given amplitude and to permit roll rotation when the amplitude is suificiently reduced.

12. A device or" the class described comprising a measuring roll, a stop member and means attaching it to said roll for pendular motion, means for initiating swinging motion ofsaid member as a result of roll rotation to give a predetermined maximum amplitude, stop means engageable by said swinging member to prevent roll rotation at a given amplitude and to permit roll rotation when the amplitude is sufficiently reduced, and means adjustable to reduce the amplitude of said member to permit roll rotation in a shorter time.

13. A device of the class described comprising a measuring roll, a combined stop and timing member, means attaching said member to said roll in eccentric relation to the rotative axis of the roll for free swinging motion, means for initiating swinging motion of the member during roll rotation, and stop means engageable by the free end of the member to prevent roll rotation while said member swings at the initiated predetermined maximum amplitude and by which roll rotation is permitted when the degree of amplitude is sufiiciently small.

14. In combination with a measuring roll which is operated by sheet material to be dispensed, a time-stop mechanism controlled by and controlling said roll and comprising a pendulum as one of the stops and movable by the roll, means for initiating swinging movement of said pendulum as a result of rotation of said measuring roll, and stop means so associated with said pendulum as to be engaged thereby to prevent roll rotation while the pendulum is swinging and permit rotation when the amplitude of said pendulum is sufilciently small.

15. A device of the class described comprising an element which is to be held immovable at the end of a complete rotation, a pendulum swingable on said element, means so associated with said pendulum as to cause it to swing at a maximum amplitude as said element rotates and permits re-rctation of said element only when said pendulum ceases to swing, and means adjustable to reduce the amplitude of swing of said pendulum in varying degrees.

16. A dispensing cabinet for sheet material having a measuring roll having a crank, a pendulum swingable on said crank, a stop plate with which the free end of said pendulum when swinging is engageable to prevent roll rotation, said plate having an opening through which the upright pendulum when not swinging can pass, the relations of the crank and pendulum to the opening being such that as the roll starts to rotate the non-swinging pendulum descends into the opening, and as rotation continues assumes a slanting position therein, and is then withdrawn while so slanted, whereby swinging and timing motion is initiated.

17. A device of the class described comprising a rotatable element which is to be temporarily immovably held at the end of each rotation, a pendulum, and a pivot swingingly attaching said pendulum to said element in eccentric relation to its axis of rotation, arcuate stopping members having their axis of generation in said pivot when the element is in its temporary position and adapted to be engaged by the free end of the swinging pendulum, said members being spaced to allow the pendulum to' pass downwardly between them when not swinging, whereby to allow rotation of the element, and one of said members acting to bias said pendulum to obtain swinging thereof following disengagement of the pendulum from the member during rotation 01" the element.

18. A measuring roll and a time-stop mechanism controlled by and controlling said roll, comprising a pendular stop movable with and by the roll, means for initiating swinging movement of said pendular stop as a result of rotation of said measuring roll, and means so associated with said stop as to prevent rotation of the roll while the stop is swinging at a predetermined amplitude.

l9.'A device of the class described having a stop having a mid-placed opening therein, a measuring roll having a crank, a pendulum. pivoted to the crank and initially adapted to be moved downwardly through the opening as the roll is rotated, and further adapted to be set swinging when withdrawn from the opening, said pendulum being engageable with said stop to prevent roll rotation while swinging at a predetermined amplitude.

20. A device of the class described having a stop having a mid-placed opening therein, a measuring roll-having a crank, a'pendulum pivoted to the crank and adapted when swinging to have its lower end engage the stop to prevent roll rotation, and further adapted to move downwardly through the opening when the roll is initially moved, and further adapted to be set swinging when withdrawn from the opening during roll motion.

21. A device of the class described comprising a measuring roll, a combined stop and timing member, means attaching said member to said roll in eccentric relation to the rotative axis of the roll for free swinging motion, means for initiating swinging motion of the member during roll rotation, stop means engageable by the free end of the member to prevent roll rotation while said member swings at the initiated predetermined maximum amplitude and by which roll rotation is permitted when the degree of amplitude is sufficiently small, and means adjustable to be engaged by said member to reduce its amplitude.

22. A device of the class described comprising a movable element which is to be held immovable for a timed period, a pendulum as a stop swingable on said element and stop means so associated with said pendulum that said element cannot move while the amplitude of the pendulum exceeds a predetermined maximum but can be moved when amplitude is reduced to a predetermined minimum, means by which movement of said element causes the pendulum to swing at its maximum amplitude, and means including a projection adjustable to be engaged by the swinging pendulum to reduce its amplitude.

23. A stop mechanism in which a first stop is a pendulum, and in which a second stop has a gap, an element which is rotated by the act of dispensing and to which said first stop is pivoted, and adapted when immovable to be aligned for entry through said gap during rotation of said element from an initial position from which it moves as dispensing action proceeds, and means operative at the end of dispensing action to obtain a limited reverse rotation of said element whereby to so space the first stop from the second stop so as to assure free swinging motion of said first stop following Withdrawal thereof from said gap.

24. A dispensing device having a measuring roll adapted to move from an initial position again to that position to complete a dispensing operation, a timer pendulum pivotally attached to said roll and adapted to have its lower end act as a stop, stop means below and engageable by the end of the pendulum when said pendulum is swinging and having a gap downwardly through which the pendulum can pass when not swinging and during rotation of the roll from its initial position, and means for obtaining a limited small reverse movement of the roll at the end of a dispensing movement to prevent engagement of the end of said pendulum with said stop means while said pendulum is swinging, the withdrawal of said pendulum from said gap-during dispensing rotation of the roll being adapted to initiate swinging motion of said pendulum.

25. A dispensing device having a measuring roll which performs its measuring function by a single rotation from an initial position again to that position, a pair of stops spaced to provide 6 a gap between them, a pendular stop pivoted to said roll in eccentric relation thereto, and adapted when swinging to engage one or the other of the pair of stops to arrest roll motion, and when not swinging adapted to enter said gap as roll rotation from its initial position begins, and further adapted to be set swinging upon withdrawal from said gap as dispensing roll movement continues, and means operative when the roll has stopped at said initial position to move said roll in limited reverse direction to release the pendular stop for resumption of pendular motion.

26. In combination, first means the movement of which is respectively to be permitted and prevented, a pendular stop as a timer, and means swingingly connecting it with said first means, stop means with which said swinging pendular stop can engage to prevent motion of said first means, and means for initiating swinging motion of said pendular stop as a result of motion of said first means and for preventing engagement of said pendular stop with said stop means when its amplitude is sufiiciently small.

27. A device of the class described, comprising a rotative element to be controlled, a pendulum pivoted to said element in eccentric relation to its rotative axis, means providing two stopping surfaces with either of which the lower end of the pendulum is engageable when swinging to prevent rotation of said element, an opening being provided between said stopping surfaces into which the pendulum enters to permit rotation of said element, withdrawal of the pendulum from said opening as a result of rotation of said element serving to impart pendular motion thereto.

28. In combination, first means the movement of which is respectively to be permitted and prevented, a pendulum, means swingingly connecting the pendulum with said first means,

means providing two stopping surfaces havingan opening between them, the arrangement of the foregoing elements being such that the pendulum must enter the opening as said first means is to be moved and such that pendular motion is initiated on withdrawal of the pendulum from the opening, and such that the lower end of the swinging pendulum can engage either stopping surface to prevent movement of the first means.

29. In a dispensing device having first means which must move during dispensing from an initial position and return to that position, a pendulum as a stop and timer and means pivoting it to said first means, stop means with which said swinging pendulum is engageable when an attempt is made to move the first means while said pendulum is swinging, and means for initiating swinging of the pendulum during the first part of the movement of said first means from its initial position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,175,141 Wooster Oct. 3, 1939 2,248,193 Price et al. July 8, 1942 2,298,882 Grunwald Oct. 13, 1942 2,417,713 Birr Mar. 18, 1947 

